Five years ago in 2013, Doctor Who celebrated the series' 50th anniversary as many series do with a special episode. Entitled "The Day of the Doctor," the episode brought back Tom Baker, who played the Fourth Doctor, for a scene as the Curator. Now the actor is opening up about the way he says he was treated on the set, and in doing so has revealed something about actor Matt Smith. Here is what Tom Baker had to say:
Matt Smith is a darling young man -- he made me very welcome. [But] he was the only one who welcomed me -- I drove through the night to Cardiff, and Matt Smith came seeking me out, so full of joy and so happy to see me! He made it very, very easy acting with him, and I'm so glad he's going on to tumultuous success. Nobody else bothered with me at all. I was a bit nettled about that.
Talk about a class act. At least Matt Smith showed Tom Baker some kindness, from one doctor to another. It is always nice to hear great things about actors, behind-the-scenes. Baker's revelation certainly shines a positive light on Smith, who played the Eleventh Doctor. Baker gave his behind-the-scenes account during an interview that can be found on the new Blu-ray set, Doctor Who: The Collection -- Season 12, per Digital Spy.
Tom Baker starred as the Fourth Doctor on Doctor Who for seven straight years from 1974 to 1981, which makes him a record-holder as the actor with the longest running stint in the role, per IMDB. In many ways, Baker shares in helping shape the show fans enjoy today, paving the way for its longevity. He contributed to the character for nearly a decade, and was it not for his dedication, who knows what would have happened to the series.
Despite the behind-the-scenes happening, the special celebrating half a century of the series was a huge hit with fans. As the Curator, Tom Baker got to share the screen with Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor; an epic glimpse of past and present for Doctor Who fans. What a momentous occasion.
Based on another interview reported on by Digital Spy, Tom Baker does not hold back during his interview on the Blu-ray set. The veteran actor also opened up about the events that led to him leaving the role, which involved his feeling "diminished" by the producer of what turned out be Baker's final season of Doctor Who. Without that tension, it is easy to imagine he could have made it to the 10-year mark playing the role.
Tom Baker is not the only actor to lament his Doctor Who experience. Christopher Eccelston has said that what happened around the show almost destroyed his career, which Russell T. Davis has since responded as well. Despite what occurred when Tom Baker left the show, he was still willing to return to the franchise for the 50th-anniversary special. Matt Smith is clearly not the only class act from Doctor Who.
A new season of Doctor Who is on the horizon. For new and returning television shows you can anticipate watching over the next couple months, check out CinemaBlend's guide to TV's summer premieres.
